As part of the Modern Cockney Festival 2026, Transforming the Stories of Us brought Museum as Muck and the Museum of the Home together for an evening examining how museums shape the stories the UK tells about itself and who gets to tell them.
Author and campaigner Caroline Lucas joined us online to share provocations from her book Another England, arguing that the narratives we elevate as a nation influence everything from belonging to political possibility. Her call for a more inclusive, honest English story set the tone for a night of reflection, challenge, and solidarity.
The event featured a panel discussion with speakers from across the cultural sector, tours of the Museum of the Home through a social-class lens, and a presentation by the Modern Cockney Festival on their virtual museum, The Story of Cockney in 50 Objects.
Attendees described the evening as a “safe space”, “encouraging”, and “a real winner all round”, valuing the open conversation about class, identity, and the barriers working-class people face in museums. Many said they felt seen, heard, and less alone, with intelligent discussion, laughter, and shared experience creating a genuinely supportive atmosphere.
If your organisation is ready to rethink whose stories are centred and to take meaningful action on class inequity, Museum as Muck can help. We offer training, resources, and support for museums committed to transforming their narratives, workforce, and the experiences of working-class staff and audiences.